Revision as of 05:27, 12 March 2014

Joomla! uses the templates/system/error.php file to handle several HTTP Status errors, including "403 Forbidden", "404 Not Found", and "500 Internal Server" errors. You can style the error results, if desired.

It is important to understand that error.php is an independent file from the Joomla! CMS but dependent on the Joomla! Platform. Plugins do not run on the file. You cannot include modules or use <jdoc:include> statements.

HTTP Status Code

When a request is made for a page on your site, the server returns an HTTP status code in response to the request. Joomla! returns a '200 - the server successfully returned the page' for error pages. This is problematic for those working with Google Webmaster Services and trying to get a sitemap resolved.

If you want Joomla! to return a status code for the error, you can do so by adding logic before the DOCTYPE line, as follows:

More HTTP Status Code Information

Using Theme Header and Footer on Standard Error Page

If you want to see the error page in theme design and don't like redirecting to error page URL or duplicating HTML in the error page template, here is a way to apply your theme template to the error page.